Divining and Predictions in the Wizarding World.

[bugaloo37]

No: HPFGUIDX 44069

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "erisedstraeh2002" <erisedstraeh2002 at y...> 
wrote:
> Look at the reaction of the press and Fudge to the news of Harry's 
> curse scar hurting him when Voldemort is nearby or "feeling 
> murderous" in GoF.  Instead of taking this seriously, which 
would    be 
> extremely frightening, they treat it as a joke, as if it's a poor 
> reflection on Harry.  Only those who are able to handle the fear, 
> such as Dumbledore and Sirius, see it for what it really is - a 
sign 
> of Voldemort's resurgence of power.
> 
> ~Phyllis

Okay-I think we agree somewhat; however, IMO, I do not put Harry's 
scar on the same level with Trelawney's predictions.  Harry's scar is 
a visible connection to Voldemort.  Whereas Trelawney and her kind 
can only be accepted on the basis of a so-called ability- having some 
claim to a certain credibility based on predictions that have 
actually come to pass( in Trelawney's case, not very many, 
apparently)- Harry's one-on-one experience with Voldemort is well 
known; therefore, harder to cast aside.  I see Fudge's and the press' 
reaction to the burning scar as not only a result of fear but of 
sheer ignorance-much like the reaction of the world to Hitler's rise 
to power.  In other words, some people are going to ignore certain 
things until it effects them directly-while others are going to see 
what's coming and make an attempt to stop it.  I agree that 
Dumbledore and Sirius, both take Harry's scar very seriously.  IMO, 
they are both able to see the difference between a possibly half-
baked prediction and a visibly active sign of Voldemort's power (the 
scar).  IMO, fear is a remarkable thing. It can act as a catalyst or 
it can render someone powerless.  I think we both agree that even 
though Sirius has at times acted impetuously - he does have Harry's 
best interest at heart and is wise enough to understand that what 
affects Harry, affects them all and I think this is Dumbledore's 
situation also. IMO, whether or not fear supported by ignorance is 
able to conquer an individual or a group of people is based on the 
ability of that particular person or group to act-to face their fear 
head on.  In Dicken's "A Christmas Carol," the writer speaks through 
the voice of the Ghost of Christmas Present and tell us this: 
(paraphasing) the thing that should be feared most of all is 
ignorance for it is the doom of mankind.

bugaloo37-who read an interview of Kenneth Branaugh today in which he 
compared JKR's writing to Dicken's- an opinion I thoroughly support.